THE REIGN OF VICTORIA (_continued_).
The Repeal Agitation--Debate in the Dublin Corporation--The
Monster Meetings--O'Connell's Speech at Tara--The Arms
Bill--Dismissal of the Repeal Magistrates--Speeches of the Duke
of Wellington--The Arms Bill becomes Law--Proclamation of the
Clontarf Meeting--O'Connell's Counter-Proclamation--Arrest and
Trial of O'Connell--The Sentence--It is reversed by the House
of Lords--Rejoicings on O'Connell's Liberation--The Excitement
at Cork--Decline of O'Connell--His Breach with the Young
Ireland Party--Irish Debates in Parliament--Approach of the
Irish Famine--The Devon Commission--Its Report--Arrival of the
Potato Disease--The Famine--The Relief Committee of the Society
of Friends--The Famine in Ulster--A Description of Cork and
Skibbereen--Demoralisation of the Population--Policy of the Whig
Cabinet--Lord George Bentinck's Railway Plan--Failure of the new
Poor Law and of the Public Works--The Temporary Relief Act--Father
Mathew--Private Benevolence--Munificence of the United States 525